United States · Historic car ferries on the Willamette River
Oregon ferry routes & schedules
Oregon's ferries are a rarity: small, historic car ferries that still cross the Willamette River where no bridge does. The Canby, Wheatland and Buena Vista ferries are county-run reaction and cable ferries, quietly shortcutting rural drives much as they have for over a century.
- 6
- Connections
- 3
- Operators
- 6
- Quays
- 2m
- Avg crossing
About
Ferry travel in Oregon
River ferries, not sea crossings
Unlike the coastal ferries elsewhere in the US, Oregon's are inland river crossings — short hops over the Willamette that carry a handful of cars at a time. Several are cable or reaction ferries, using the river's own current and a fixed cable rather than a conventional engine to cross. They run on modest daily schedules, close in high water, and function as a local shortcut rather than a destination in themselves. Each route page below lists its current timetable.
Quays
Ferry quays in Oregon
6 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
At a glance
Which Oregon crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista → Jefferson | 1m | 127 / wk | 1 |
| Jefferson → Buena Vista | 1m | 126 / wk | 1 |
| Matheny Road → Wheatland Road | 2m | 66 / wk | 1 |
| Wheatland Road → Matheny Road | 2m | 65 / wk | 1 |
| Canby Ferry - North → Canby Ferry - South | 5m | 27 / wk | 1 |
| Canby Ferry - South → Canby Ferry - North | 5m | 27 / wk | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in Oregon
6 routes departing Oregon.
Buena Vista1 route
Canby Ferry - North1 route
Canby Ferry - South1 route
Jefferson1 route
Matheny Road1 route
Wheatland Road1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in Oregon?
Guides
Planning ferry travel in Oregon
Practical guides to fares, booking and the crossings worth building a trip around.
- How to Take a Car on a Ferry: A Complete GuideEverything you need to know about driving onto a ferry — booking vehicle space, what to do at the terminal, and how to board safely.
- Foot Passenger vs Taking the Car: Which Should You Choose?When it's worth bringing the car onto the ferry and when you're better off as a foot passenger — cost, convenience and what waits on the other side.
Travel updates
Latest updates for Oregon
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Are Oregon's Willamette River ferries still running?
Yes — the Canby, Wheatland and Buena Vista ferries continue to operate as county-run car ferries across the Willamette River, some using a cable-and-current (reaction ferry) system. They keep short daily schedules and can be suspended during high water, so check the day's status before relying on one.
How many ferry routes are there in Oregon?
Oregon has 6 ferry and express-boat connections across 6 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in Oregon?
Boat and ferry services in Oregon are run by 3 operators, including Buena Vista Ferry, Canby Ferry and Wheatland Ferry. Most are part of United States's county public-transport network.
How long are ferry crossings in Oregon?
Across Oregon's active crossings the average sailing takes about 2m, while the longest runs roughly 5m. Each route page shows the exact duration.
Explore
Other ferry regions in United States
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated July 19, 2026.